After starting work on a shared municipal courts feasibility study in 2008, the Salem County Board of Chosen Freeholders have now released the report to municipalities around the county.

The results of the study call for three municipal courts spread out geographically around the county. In some instances, townships could save up to 30 percent in yearly operation costs.

"I think any time you go after an endeavor like this there is always a possibility," said Freeholder David Lindenmuth. "I hope municipalities take this into serious consideration because there are very positive points."

At the same time, Lindenmuth said it is not being forced on any municipalities.

"We would never push anyone or force it down their throats," said Lindenmuth. "This is just an option for them to consider."

The court configuration would go as follows:

North Salem County Regional Municipal Court would unify the municipal court operations of Carneys Point, Oldmans, and Penns Grove.
Eastern Salem County Regional Municipal Court would be created to serve the court needs of Elsinboro, Lower Alloways Creek, Pennsville, and Salem.

In the model presented by Government Strategy Group, the company that conducted the study, most municipalities would not see a savings until 2010. A majority of the decrease in costs would be from cutting jobs.

"It's important to have the proper planning," said Lindenmuth. "When it comes time for job loss you can look to those that may be retiring or moving onto other jobs on their own accord."

Most new courts would only need one prosecutor, one public defender and one judge. These positions would see a salary increase though with the increased work load.

The cost to run the courtrooms would not be an even split among municipalities involved in the shared services agreement. Each municipality would be responsible for a certain portion of the court cost. The study presented two options -- either population or case-based distribution of payment.